Nader is a typical middle class family man with a 11yrs old daughter and an ill father who is suffering from Alzheimer's. His wife Simin decides to move out of the country citing all the domestic problems and her daughter's future. But, Nader refuses to move and is ready to grant divorce to his wife. As Simin moves out, Nader employs a pregnant housemaid Razieh to take care of his father. Razieh is accompanied by her small kid. At a point of time, things boil up to a stage where Nader actually is forced to push out Razieh from the house. And we are also shown that Razieh has a miscarriage and that she loses her baby.
What follows is an intriguing legal battle between Nader and Razieh's husband Hodjat deliberating whether Nader is responsible for the 5 month old baby's death. Nader refuses to give in and bravely fights the case. He has to deal with jail sentencing, the case investigation, an aggressive Hodjat, his domestic problems with his wife & his father, his kid's future etc etc.
What happens to the case, his marriage with Simin and the future of their daughter is the climax. The film is intriguing, very serious and totally driven by the tension of the legal drama that plays out. All the actors are into the script and deliver very intense performances. It's as if their moves are being captured without their knowledge. Such realism and there is no accompanying music too except the end credits track. Total 'slice of life' movie with no fairy-tale climax, no exaggerated cinematic elements and total commitment from all the actors involved. Special mention to the 11 yrs old kid who totally owns the climax with her innocent tears
VERDICT: Deserved the Oscar and all the other 55 wins. Intriguing and unwavering family drama
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